Public libraries engage Pokemon Go fans

The release of smartphone app game Pokemon Go has resulted in several Australian public libraries becoming ‘sought after’ locations for players, with some libraries actively using the game to attract more visitors, reports Government News.

Based on the popular Japanese anime creatures known as Pokemon, the ‘augmented reality’ game presents a GPS layout of the city and encourages the player to walk around with a smartphone searching for and capturing Pokemon in ‘real life’.

Due to the game’s use of real-world landmarks, several Australian public libraries are incorporated into the game, with some libraries serving as Pokestops—locations where players can restock supplies such as Pokeballs—while others are popular spots to drop ‘lures’, an action that attracts Pokemon, and players, to a location. Some libraries are also designated Pokegyms where players battle each other with the Pokemon they have collected.

Australian Library and Information Association CEO Sue McKerracher said libraries were seeing a ‘surge’ in visitors. McKerracher praised libraries for quickly capitalising on the popularity of the game to encourage people in, particularly those savvy with social media. ‘It’s a great opportunity for libraries to have people who may not normally be library users to go in and look up from their screens for a moment and realise that libraries have changed a lot in the last ten years,’ said McKerracher.

Pokemon Go was first launched by app developer Niantic Labs, Nintendo and the Pokemon Company on iOS and Android in Australia and New Zealand on 6 July.

For more information on how libraries are engaging with the game, visit the State Library of New South Wales blog here.

Category: Library news